Ryan Clark would love it, but don't even bring the subject to Casey Hampton.

To franchise or not to franchise, that's the question surrounding a handful of Steelers very shortly.

"No, I don't want a franchise tag," Hampton said.

If Sunday's game in Miami is the final one of the year for the defending World Champion Steelers, the organization will have about a month to decide on what they want to do with some of their key unrestricted free agents like Clark, Hampton, Jeff Reed and Willie Parker.

Do they sign them to a long-term deal?

Do they cut ties with them?

Or do they place the franchise and transition tag on any of them?

An exclusive franchise tag allows a team to strategically retain would-be free agents by offering them a one-year deal that pays them the average of the top five players at their position.

The non-exclusive franchise tag, which almost always is used instead, allows the player to shop his services to other teams, but the organization would have a chance to match any offer.

A transition tag is the average of the top 10 salaries of previous year at the player's position also with a chance to match any offer.

The Steelers used the transition tag on tackle Max Starks two years ago and the non-exclusive franchise tag this year at a price tag of $8.45 million before signing him to a 4-year, $26.3 million long term deal shortly after.

That could be the avenue the Steelers take with Hampton.

Hampton's salary is only $3.075 million this year, down slightly from last year. If the Steelers choose to franchise Hampton, who was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl earlier in the week, it would double his salary to a little more than $6 million for the 2010 season.

"That is something I do not want," Hampton said.

That's because at 32, Hampton doesn't want to risk injury that could prevent him for cashing in on possibly his last long-term, high paying contract especially after the season he is having.

"I think when I am healthy that I am a dominant player," Hampton said.

With the uncertainty of the CBA and a real possibility of an uncapped year in 2010 and 2011, teams will have more franchise opportunities than years past.

Currently, a team can put either a franchise tag or a transition tag on any one player. If the NFL gets to an uncapped year in 2010 and 2011 like expected, teams will have use of one franchise tag and two transition tags.

That means the Steelers could use the tag in multiple instances this offseason.

Clark could be one of them, but it would be highly unlikely, even if there is nobody in place behind him to take his starting free safety spot.

"A lot of uncertainty is with the new CBA," Clark said. "I would love to be franchised. You don't get any longevity or security and that's the thing about it."

Clark is in the final year of a 4-year deal that pays him $1.75 million a season. A franchise tag would cost the Steelers more than $6 million while the transition tag would be a little more than $5 million.

To put that into perspective, Troy Polamalu makes just less than $7 million per season.

"I am not good enough (to get franchised)," Clark said. "You all keep saying this stuff. The really good players are the ones you franchise. Guys like me don't get franchised. They are not going to franchise me. For Casey it probably wouldn't be so bad."

Kicker Jeff Reed is also a franchise/transition possibility. He is in the final year of his deal that pays him about $1.5 million a year and a franchise or transition would cost the Steelers anywhere between $750,000 to $1 million more than what they are paying him now.

Willie Parker wouldn't make much sense at all to slap a tag on him.

His making close to $4 million this year and the franchise number will be close to $7 million.

I say they transition Reed and Hampton and try to come to terms with Clark. I love FWP to pieces, but the Steelers aren't going to pay big bucks to keep him and he's as good as gone.

stillers4me

01-01-2010, 09:15 AM

I bet Troy lobbies in a big way to keep Ryan anyway they can. He has said many times how valuable Ryan is to him, allowing him to be able to roam like a silent assassin on the field. I would like to keep Hampton, to too. We just need to get some younger guys in the draft for depth and the gaping hole his and Aaron Smith's retirement will bring.

LambertLunatic

01-01-2010, 09:25 AM

Hampton had a monster season, but he admits that he comes to camp out of shape. This year he WAS in shape for camp, but that was for his contract year. If we (or someone else) signs him to a long term contract, he'll be up to his old tricks.

Leftoverhard

01-01-2010, 10:51 AM

"I am not good enough (to get franchised)," Clark said. "You all keep saying this stuff. The really good players are the ones you franchise. Guys like me don't get franchised. They are not going to franchise me."

Just watch, Clark will be the one that stays out of this FA bunch. Hopefully Reed will too. I think Clark has been hurt more by the subpar play of Carter next to him.

markymarc

01-01-2010, 02:02 PM

I believe the Steelers will tag Casey Hampton and Jeff Reed. I think they won't resign Ryan Clark or Willie Parker. This will be a very interesting off season.

Fire Haley

01-01-2010, 02:12 PM

I believe the Steelers will tag Casey Hampton and Jeff Reed. I think they won't resign Ryan Clark or Willie Parker. This will be a very interesting off season.

I'd go with that.

markymarc

01-02-2010, 11:20 AM

I'd go with that.

And karma to you for agreeing :thumbsup:

HughC

01-02-2010, 03:52 PM

If Hampton doesn't want to be franchised then he can work out a contract extension. Having your salary doubled to $6 million a year is hardly the worst thing in the world that you could have happen to you.

Besides, if he didn't want to be franchised then he should have included that in the terms of his previous contract.

Fire Haley

01-02-2010, 04:44 PM

And karma to you for agreeing :thumbsup:

Anybody that agrees with me gets instant karma - but you knew that, didn't you? when did you become a karma Ho? (not that there's anything wrong with that)

Steeldude

01-02-2010, 04:54 PM

i wouldn't give hampton a huge 4 year contract. IMO, hampton is the type of person who will relax and sit back when he gets the big money.

revefsreleets

01-03-2010, 12:00 PM

Franchise Hampton for one year. Draft a NT in the earlier rounds and groom him. Hampton will be dinged next year so the kid WILL play.

Transition Santo and Clark.

markymarc

01-04-2010, 01:20 PM

Anybody that agrees with me gets instant karma - but you knew that, didn't you? when did you become a karma Ho? (not that there's anything wrong with that)